Contest seeks underworldly names for 2 Pluto moons

This file image provided by NASA on Feb. 22, 2006 from it's Hubble Space Telescope shows Pluto and three of it's five moons. Astronomers announced a contest Monday, Feb. 11, 2013 to name the two tiny moons of Pluto discovered over the past two years. Twelve choices are available at the website plutorocks.

AP

The Associated Press

Published: Monday, February 11, 2013 at 12:28 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, February 11, 2013 at 12:28 p.m.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Want to name Pluto's two tiniest moons? Then you'll need to dig deep into mythology.

Astronomers announced a contest Monday to name the two itty-bitty moons of Pluto discovered over the past two years.

Three Pluto moons already have names associated with Hades and the underworld. They are Charon (KEHR-on), the ferryman of Hades; the half-human, Half-fish spirit Nix; and the multi-headed monster Hydra.

The two unnamed moons need similarly shady references. Right now, they go by the bland titles of P4 and P5. They're no more than 15 to 20 miles across.

Online voting will last two weeks. Twelve choices are available at the website "plutorocks." Choices include the hero who slew Hydra, Hercules; and Styx, the river to the underworld. Write-in suggestions are welcomed.

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